Fit Family | Workouts & Getting Saturday Strong On!

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Jennifer FIsher

Flexing as we leave the gym (okay, the boys took a shower and I didn’t — something’s wrong here)!

School’s out and that means I’ve got my kids back into the gym routine – on Saturdays, the whole family heads up to the gym to exercise, stay fit and have some family bonding time. Then it’s out to lunch, but we earned it! This is the third summer that we’ve been able to take the kids with us to the gym (they are now 11, 14 and 17) and I it’s cool to see how much more confident they’ve become in the setting. No longer intimidated by the equipment, my guys know what to do and enjoy the challenge (okay, they do sometimes complain). My husband and I keep adding new skills to their base and teach them how to perform every move safely – oh, and also proper gym etiquette!

Our gym has all sorts of equipment – my family’s favorite may just be the gymnastic rings. At first the kids were drawn to the rings because they could swing around like monkeys circus stars, but now they know quite a few moves that engage the upper body and / or core – pull ups (the youngest can knock out 8), dips, rows, toes-to-rings and fun tricks like “Skin the Cat.” If you like working out on the rings, this “Ring of Fire” workout I made for CorePower.com will have you burning in a hurts-so-good way. Guys, if the WOD is too easy (ha!) put on a weight vest!

Look at all the goodies in my Summer POPSUGAR Must Have Box!

In addition to a good workout, I love good mail days – those days when the box is filled up with NO bills, my favorite magazines, event invitations, paychecks and new samples to try. This should be the only kind of mail allowed! What an unexpected treat to find a POPSUGAR Must Have Box waiting for me at the door yesterday. With the holding-breath kind of anticipation, I opened the package to find my surprise treats – a new novel (perfect for beach reading), citrus body lotion, a beautiful and light beach towel that doubles as a wrap, lemon wet wipes (refreshing!), fancy hair ties (that make really neat bracelets), Hawaiian bbq potato chips (take me away!) and a $15 gift card to an online site peddling geek gadgetry (my boys are fighting over this).

All items in a POPSUGAR Must Have Box are typically themed (mine was the Summer Box) and include items in beauty, fashion, home, fitness and food that have been hand-selected by editors in the know. If you are interested in, you can save $10 on a 3 month subscription by using the code JUNESELECT10 at checkout (ends June 30, 2014).

POPSUGAR provided me with a complimentary POPSUGAR Must Have box. The opinions I have shared about the box are my own and POPSUGAR did not tell me what to say or how to say it.

16 Summer Smoothies to Get Your Motor Running

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Jennifer FIsher

Ready, get set, blend! I have 16 special smoothies to keep you cool as a cucumber (or frozen banana) through this warm weather season. Whether you’re slurping one up for breakfast, as pool side refreshment or refueling post-workout or run, these healthy frozen beverages will keep you hydrated and help you beat the heat. Plus, smoothies are an easy way to help you meet your daily fruit and vegetable intake goals, so start pureeing your produce, my friends!

Simple Green Smoothie – Avocado gives this straight-up spinach and almond milk smoothie a creamy, dreamy richness.

Mint Melon Smoothie – The fresh mint in this cantaloupe smoothie will give your health and mood a lift!

Cherry Crisp Smoothie – Nature’s sweetest cherries and oats will have you reminiscing about Grandma’s famous desserts a la mode!

Sweet Beet Smoothie – Beet juice, red berries and cherries make this smoothie perfect for improving athletic performance and recovering afterward.

Pineapple Express Smoothie – The caffeinated tea in this tropical smoothie gives your morning jump start, mon!

Tomato Strawberry Smoothie A tomato is a super nutritious fruit, after all! It’s about time it found its way in a smoothie.

Layer Spring Smoothie – Three layers of yumminess make this smoothie three times the fun – banana, spinach and strawberry!

Blackberry Lemon Smoothie – The blackberry is the trendiest fruit for 2014 and gives this smoothie a hip vibe.

Apple Cider Cinnamon Smoothie – Even in the heat of summer, this sweet and healthy smoothie will have you dreaming of a fall harvest. It’s a bushel of all the best, whirled up in a glass.

Peaches ‘n Cream Smoothie – Sometimes simple things are the best and this straightforward smoothie makes the summer’s best peaches shine bright!

Skinny Elvis Smoothie – Don’t leave the room without this awesome banana, chocolate peanut butter smoothie! Recipe in the photo.

Chocolate Orange Smoothie – Citrus and dark chocolate come together beautifully; this smoothie might remind you of those chocolate oranges popular at Christmas!

Caramel Pumpkin Pie Smoothie – Instead of a slice, take a slurp of this holiday-inspired smoothie that is worth celebrating year round!

South of the Border Chocolate Smoothie – A hint of cinnamon and cayenne pepper make this rich but healthy chocolate smoothie practically shout out “Ole!” Recipe in the photo.

Apricot Almond Smoothie – Use fresh apricots or dried ones that have been soaked overnight – a super smoothie that is surprisingly rich in iron.

Creamy Watermelon Protein Smoothie – So refreshing, so hydrating! This sweet smoothie is the perfect post-workout reward. Recipe in the photo.

If these aren’t enough smoothie ideas for you, then check out the extravaganza of healthy smoothie recipes from Cooking Light – there are 26 different varieties!

Kebabs at the Lake & Obstacle Course WOD

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Jennifer FIsher

Ready to make 200+ Beef Kebabs!

Wow, I had a busy weekend – how about you?! Friday and Saturday were spent shopping, prepping and putting on a cooking demonstration for a fundraiser ultimately benefiting the Flatwater Foundation, an important organization providing families with access to mental health support while dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

The final event takes place on June 9th, when a group of stand-up paddlers will complete a 21-mile course during an all-day event called “Tyler’s Dam that Cancer” – every SUP-er raises funds as part of their participation, so I was so happy to help friends with this event so close to their hearts. I’m hoping next year I can join them out on the lake!

Thankful for my hunky hubby who did all the hard work!

The friend who hosted this party had such an awesome backyard on the lake, it was a little hard to keep my mind on the “lean beef is good for you” message I was giving on behalf of the Texas Beef Council with all the boats and beverages floating around! Usually, I just do the “show and tell,” while a grill-master experienced in feeding a crowd does the heavy cooking – however this time, everyone was booked and it was just me! Wow, putting together over 200 kebabs is a lot harder than I thought and thank goodness I recruited my husband to do all the grilling while I entertained the crowd with my fit foodie antics.

The recipe chosen for this evening is one of my favorites for the grill – Mojo Beef Kebabs. Check it out, I even have a video.

Sunday was busy getting the kids ready for a week of end-of-school events – concerts, finals, SATs, field trips and more. Amazingly I did find a bit of time to experiment on another grilling recipe I’ve developed for Hamilton Beach and their really cool Searing Grill. I can’t divulge the recipe now, but stay tuned. The post will run in mid-June and I will also be giving away one of the grills – whoohooo!

All this running around makes me feel like I’m navigating a never-ending obstacle course, I’m sure you’ve felt like this too?! So, to stay in shape for all of life’s crazy ups and downs and detours, try this Obstacle Course Workout I created for Core Power.

You know I love my Core Power – it is such a convenient way to take in quality protein after a hard workout at the gym. You don’t want to waste that 30 minute window to refuel with protein and carbs to help muscles recover. Check out the Summer Sale – when you take advantage of Subscribe & Save for home delivery, you’ll get $5 off your favorite @CorePower shakes http://bit.ly/CPSaleAmazon.

Answer me this – What did you do this weekend? What is your favorite meat to eat on a stick? Have you ever done an obstacle race and if so, would you do another?

Black Bean, Avocado & Corn Salad + Stability Ball WOD

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Jennifer FIsher

We had a busy but wonderful family weekend, so I’m going to keep it short and sweet! Saturday we celebrated my oldest son’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor – whew, he made it!

The Family — Yup, I’m a Boy mom times three!

And, Sunday, we got together with my mom (and dad) to revel in Mother’s Day. While you might think your mother is “best,” mine really takes the cake – and the corn salad! And, with that corniness out of the way, I’m excited to be sharing her family-famous Black Bean, Avocado & Corn Salad recipe. Yeah, yeah – your mom makes something like this . . . but my mom makes it better!

Black Bean, Avocado & Corn Salad Recipe

2 cups frozen sweet corn
6 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered
1 to 2 jalapeno pepper, halved and seeded
2 (15.5-oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 large avocados, peeled, seeded and chopped*
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Place frozen corn on rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Stir to coat and then spread out in single layer. Roast under broiler for 3 – 4 minutes, stirring once, until starting to brown. Remove from oven and let cool.

In large bowl, place beans, chopped bell pepper, chopped onion, quartered grape tomatoes, minced jalapeno, chopped avocado, chopped cilantro and cooled corn. Add remaining olive oil (1/4 cup), lime juice, vinegar, chile powder and cumin; stir until all ingredients are coated.

Cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Use as a side dish, topping on salad or relish for chips and tacos. Serves 12.

*Recipe can be made ahead, even overnight. However, for best results, do not peel and chop and mix in avocado until ready to serve.

If you need a quick workout for this Monday morning, check out the Stability Ball WOD I created for CorePower.com. I often use the stability ball to make basic exercises like push-ups, crunches, and squats exponentially more challenging. Because the ball is never completely still, I have to work my muscles much harder to find the balance. If you need further instructions for each specific move above, head over to Core Power to read my blow by blow.

Grab a Friend Workout & Harvest Snaps #Giveaway

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Jennifer FIsher

Friends don’t let friends workout alone! Amen. I probably don’t have to tell you, but is so much easier, motivating and just plain fun to work out with a buddy. My friend Valerie reminds me of this – we’ve been meeting up now for at least five years to stay strong and fit and, even though we’re like night and day, we so get each other. Sometimes we’re competitive in a friendly way while other times we’re just plain silly. She knew me when I could only do one pull-up and I remember when she was still in her thirties! Between our busy schedules, we only get to connect once a week – but it’s a pow-wow this one-woman wolf pack really needs.

Neither of us has a serious race or CrossFit competition in the near future, so our training plans are open to interpretation. So, here’s my Partner WOD for the week – hope it inspires you to “Grab a Friend” and workout!

I also wanted to share my new obsession — Harvest Snaps. I was first introduced to these healthy snacks at the Dallas Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon and have been hooked ever since. These sensible baked snacks, featuring snap peas or lentils depending on the variety, have up to 40% less fat, less sodium, more fiber, and higher levels of protein and vitamin B than traditional chips. Plus, all the flavors are gluten-free, non-GMO and have a reasonably lower glycemic index. Oh, and about the flavors – the Snapea Crisps come in Lightly Salted, Caesar, Black Pepper and Wasabi Ranch and the Lentil Crisps come in Tomato Basil and Onion Thyme. I love them all!

If you can’t wait to see if you’re one of the two winners who wins a month-supply box containing one bag each of all six flavors, head to the nearest store to pick up a stash. I’m pretty darn sure you will love them as much as me – my two favorite ways to eat them are straight out of the bag (natch) or as non-grain croutons on my daily salad. YUM!

GIVEAWAY OVER. To enter the giveaway please follow the Rafflecopter instructions below – there will be two winners!

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Category Archives: Workouts

Fit Family | Workouts & Getting Saturday Strong On!

16 Summer Smoothies to Get Your Motor Running

Kebabs at the Lake & Obstacle Course WOD

Black Bean, Avocado & Corn Salad + Stability Ball WOD

Grab a Friend Workout & Harvest Snaps #Giveaway